U of M goes to Washington

Not every intern meets George Stephanopoulos, John Negroponte and Lamar Alexander in a single semester.

But Shannon Hayes, senior international studies, political science and foreign languages triple major, has enjoyed such experiences this semester.

Hayes was one of four U of M students who interned at The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars in Washington, D.C. Unlike some interns, her job has been more than just getting coffee, filing papers and answering phones, she said.

"I'm not getting anyone coffee, and no one would ask me to get coffee," she said. "At my job we are treated just like staff. We have jobs, and it is very professional, and I think with that, I get a certain amount of respect."

Hayes was placed with a non-governmental, nonprofit organization called the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, where she did "think tank work," she said.

TWC has worked with The U of M since 2007 to provide students with internships in Washington, D.C. The independent, nonprofit organization is affiliated with about 500 colleges and universities around the world and has about 1,700 students participate in the program each year.

Interns receive a stipend of nearly $6,000 from TWC, can keep all of their pre-existing U of M financial aid arrangements and can receive 12 to 15 credit hours from The U of M.

Ryan Klang, director of development for TWC, said the 2-year-old internship is one of the best-kept secrets at The University. One of the program's benefits, he said, is that many of the interns are offered jobs after graduating.

"We have many students who go on to receive job placement and job offers from the company they interned at after they graduate," Klang said.

TWC also offers courses in 12 disciplines, including advocacy, service and arts, business and information technology, mass communications, law, international affairs and more.

The courses and programs at TWC are tailored to meet the needs of each intern. By doing this, students are able to learn more about their specific field, Klang said.

They also learn job seeking skills.

"I've learned how to apply for jobs, how to interview and how to perfect my resume," Hayes said.

While there, students work eight hours a day, Monday through Friday. Aside from that, they are required to attend one evening course a week, and another evening of programming as well.

Living around "business-minded" people has given her the opportunity to meet and learn from many people in high positions, she said. While interning, networking has been key.

"Everybody you meet is a connection, and you never know when you are going to run into them again," Hayes said. "Networking is so important, it is a real-world skill that everybody should work on, especially while you are in college."

When it comes to connections, students are also able to learn from other interns. Students are housed with three roommates. Klang said TWC leases apartments from five complexes in the metro area in order to give students more of a real-life experience, but also to provide a way for them to get to know each other.

"It provides a safe environment for students to test out their majors," Klang said. "They also have a cohort of folks they can live and work with and learn from while they are interning."

Aside from being set up with an apartment, students are given a metro pass. Klang said many students do not have cars, so the metro pass allows them to have a source of transportation.

Provost Ralph Faudree said the internship program is mostly funded by state allocations, but The University provides funding for interns as well. Faudree said funding and location were two reasons why The University decided to offer the scholarship opportunity to U of M students.

"External funding made it convenient, and it has also offered opportunities different from what we have here," Faudree said. "It has greater breath than some of the other opportunities we offer here, and the fact that it is out of state made it appealing as well."

Those interested in learning more about the application process should contact Dixie Crase, academic internship director at (901)-678-3102 or visit the TWC Web site at http://www.twc.edu.

"I think it's a fantastic program," Faudree said. "We have gotten rave reviews from students and the people at The Washington Center."